Sojourner Blues (2013)

A remix of a song from 2007. Lyrics were inspired and cobbled together from emails sent by Feter McBlues while he was in the Baghdad war zone of Iraq in the 2006-07 period, and his subsequent escape and exile into Syria. This song originally posted after his arrival in Syria. He languished there for, I forget how long. A number of us were companions-in-waiting... trying to encourage him that better times were ahead. A lot of that encouragement came in the form of songs and collaborations with Feter while in both Iraq and Syria. Those were tough times indeed for him, as he hoped and waited for asylum in the U.S. -which thankfully finally came. Being that this is a little piece of the MacJams' history I wanted to put it back up on the site.

Sojourner Blues (2013)
Wow! Powerful piece! I didn't know all this about Feter. What an amazing story. I too hear the Dylan influence. There's a bit of young Bob in your vocal. Thanks for reposting! This was not to be missed.

amazing story
There were countless nights that Feter, davisamerica, myself, and others were in the chatroom talking with him while he was in Iraq and later Syria. He spent much of his time at the internet cafe and at a music studio of a Syrian musician he met. Here's a couple collabs we did while he was in Syria:Boredom Blues

and The Longing, which came from a demo snippet That Feter sent to me and I mixed into a song.

Many other collars on Feter's page from that time, as well as on other artists' pages.

Sojourner Blues
Thanks for the back-story and the re-post, Jack. I didn't know anything about Feter's struggles, either. Fine story-telling with a sympathetic backer. The harp sounds great in the mix. Real life music. Thanks, Peter.

Perfect.
Glad you brought this back. Like many others, I joined in 2006 and remember the troubles in Iraq and Feter's time in Bagdad. I used to send him tunes to play in the coffee show where he worked for a while. ... It is most appropriate to repost this wonderful little ballad. You sing it with conviction and understanding. The harmonica, esp., gives this a folksy feeling, as does the simple guitar accompaniment. Nice that you didn't feel any need to embellish this further. All excellent choices.

remembering the troubles...
Thanks, Paul. I didn't know you were communicating with Feter during that time. You have your own story to tell. I'm glad to have you listen and comment on my bit of MJ history...

Jack
Have you been to the production crossroads? This has such a lovely SOUND! Really well mixed.It's amazing what a remix can do - inspirational.
A very fitting reminder of Feter's time here, and also the cameraderie in those days.
Cheers from Oz,
Neil

Neil...
I think I must have died and gone to heaven. Your comment is the best. To even think that I have approached the level of your music production to elicit this comment... well, nuff said. Thanks down-under bro...

Jack
I came to MJ in 2008, but I remember Feter waiting so patiently to come to this country. This definitely has a Dylan-esque quality which suits Feter particularly well. Thanks for sharing and bringing us back the memories and the hope.

Powerful writing
Glad you brought this back to light. This is a great song and made all the more real by knowing something about Feter, his music and story here. A fitting tribute and a reminder of all those in similar dire circumstances even now.